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Public Policy

FACT Policy Positions »

Health Care Policy Position Statement

This Policy Statement encompasses children and adults with physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, developmental disabilities or other special needs.

Disability and chronic conditions are a natural and normal part of the human experience that in no way diminishes a person’s right to meaningful and effective medical care and optimal health outcomes; disability is distinct from health, and health care must be provided regardless of a person’s disability or ongoing health condition.¹

Adults and children with disabilities must have dependable, person-centered comprehensive, coordinated quality health care in the community with access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance.

ISSUES

Too many individuals with disabilities have faced numerous challenges, including life-threatening barriers, in accessing timely and appropriate health care. Problems include the lack of access to basic health care, transportation issues, inability to obtain appropriate quality services, lack of access to specialists, and healthcare professionals who limit options or refuse to serve. Many communities lack health professionals overall but especially those trained to meet the needs of adults and children with disabilities.

To add to the problem, health insurance coverage is frequently inadequate, unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Complexity of accessing and maintaining coverage can be an additional barrier.

POSITION

People with disabilities and chronic conditions must have access to appropriate, affordable, accessible and available, timely, and comprehensive medical, mental health, and dental treatment throughout their lives.

• Disability must not be a factor in the decision to provide, delay, or withhold care. The person's health and well being must be the basis for the decision.
• Reasonable accommodations must be available to support access, personal needs and decision making.
• Health professionals must receive and have access to specialized knowledge and training to assure the individual’s maximum health outcomes and to prevent secondary conditions.
• Care must be individual and/or family centered.
• Reimbursement rates for health care professionals must reflect the fact that many people with disabilities have needs that require more time with a health care provider and coordination of care. Reimbursement rates must not provide a disincentive for healthcare professionals to provide services.
• Services must be high quality and:
• Based on a broad definition of medical necessity and include:
• Primary and secondary preventive care and health maintenance and health promotion;
• Treatment(s) for illness or ongoing condition(s); and
• Therapies, equipment, care coordination and other needed supports to maintain or prevent deterioration of existing functioning.
• Not denied on the basis of disability.
• Given only with the informed consent of the individual or the surrogate decision-maker and include the use of advance directives when applicable.

Health care must be based on the following principles:

Other considerations include:

Family and Community Together (FACT) is a family leadership coalition working to facilitate positive change in policies, systems and attitudes affecting Oregonians with disabilities or chronic health concerns and their families. More about FACT ...